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Those pretty eyes met his, warm and fond and a little worried.

“You okay?” Tank asked. He just—he felt like he’d flubbed something. Then again, he was hyperaware of how he hated to show weakness.

“I am. I hate that you’re hurting, but it comes with the territory. Cowboys get hurt. I’ll help, though.”

“You’re a huge help.” He tried to relax into it. The massage he’d already figured. Tank meant letting Dalton help him.

“That’s what we do, huh? You and me, fucking helpful.” Dalton winked at him, playing with him.

“The safety man and the bullfighter.” Tank nodded sagely, but he caught that blue gaze with his. “Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome, Tank. Seriously.”

“It’s hard for me. Needing to ask.” There. He felt like he needed to say it, even if it was obvious.

“I get that. We’re cowboys.” Dalton leaned down and brushed their lips together. “I’ll pay better attention.”

“Hey, this isn’t on you.” He slid one hand behind Dalton’s head, holding him there for a longer contact.

“You are on me, Tank.”

“Well, more like you’re on me.” He grinned, feeling better all over.

“Maybe in me….” Look at those eyes twinkle. Little shit.

“Mmm. Anytime I get the chance.” He glanced around. “Though maybe not at your momma and pops’s.”

“Yeah, that would be weird.”

“Yeppers.” Tank sighed, wiggling his toes. So much better.

“Let me switch your towels.” Dalton climbed off him and put another set of hot towels on his legs.

“Oh.” Tank moaned. “That feels so good.”

“Excellent. Momma’s salve is magical. Works like a dream; smells like death.”

“It does have an odor.” Tank winked.

“An odor. Right.” Dalton rolled his eyes like dice. “And bull snot is a little gooey.”

“Just a tiny bit. Better than the other end.”

“No shit.” Dalton waited a couple of beats. “Pun intended.”

“Oh, now that stank.” They both cracked up, laughing until they wheezed.

When the laughter faded, they sat there, grinning at each other, and it wasn’t weird, wasn’t wrong.

No, it was so good his chest tightened for a moment. “Gimme one more kiss?”

“One more for now.”

They shared another slow, lingering kiss. It left Tank flushed and panting.

“Better, cowboy?” Dalton licked his bottom lip.

“So much better.” He reached up to stroke Dalton’s cheek.